Courts Gear Up for Cases against Sirsa Cult Leader

April 3, 2008

Author/Source: Khalsa Press

Ambala Canntt (KP) – During the March 29th Court Session held to decide the cases against Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, the court of Justice R.K. Saini again deferred the decision until April 21st. The involvement of Gurmeet Ram Rahim has been alleged in two different murder cases–one of his former follower and driver, Ranjit Singh and the other of a reporter, Ram Chandra Chattarpati, who worked to expose the horrific acts committed by the Sacha Sauda Cult Officials. In addition, the cult leader also faces charges of sexually exploiting several of his female followers, commonly referred to as Saadhvis.

Ram Rahim was made to appear in the special court setup in the Police line, where the honorable judge heard arguments from both sides. The defense council argued that since his client Gurmeet Ram Rahim is already facing trial in the High Court, the current case should be cancelled. S. Gursher Singh Sullar told the court that although a similar case is ongoing in a superior court, no precedent has been set by the High Court which bars lower-level courts from hearing this case.

After hearing both sides for around thirty minutes, the Honorable Judge announced that the next court session will take place on April 21st in which the verdict will be announced. This court session was held under very tight security. In addition to the judges, lawyers, guilty party and security personnel, no other individuals were allowed inside the court session. Media and press reporters were also forced outside the court room.

The High Security was enforced after a past incident of an alleged attack on the Dera Chief’s convey. To safeguard Gurmeet Ram Rahim from such further incidents, he has been provided a special security motorcade by the State of Haryana. This motorcade will accompany the Dera Chief on his court appearances, for which he travels a distance of 200 kilometers once every month.

The counsel of Dera Sacha Sauda and the Ambala Administration has appealed to the State Government to shift the case to Sirsa so expenses associated with Rahim’s transportation and security could be cut. Interestingly, an estimate of Rs. 1,500,000 is spent on providing security to Gurmeet Ram Rahim every month. A jammer and eight hundred security guards make up the personal security team of the Baba.

Several representatives of Sikh Organizations were present outside the courtroom during the court hearing. the leadership of the World Sikh Mission made a special impact as several of its ranking officials were present there. Members of the Shiromani Akali Dal (PP) and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee were also present outside the court room.

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